52 - How I Learned to Fly by R.L. Stine - (ebook by Undead) Read Free Book Online Page A

told myself. It won’t rain
forever.
     
    I woke up the next morning. I bolted to the window. Pushed the curtains
aside. The warm rays of the sun splashed across my face.
    All right! I pumped both fists into the air.
    I called Wilson and Mia and told them to meet me in the park. Right away.
    Mia arrived first. Wilson showed up a few minutes later, waving, excitedly.
    “Hey, guys—big news!” He charged over to us. “Guess where I’m going
on spring break.”
    “Where?” Mia asked eagerly.
    “New York City!” he exclaimed. “My parents are taking me to New… York… City. Can you believe it?”
    “That’s great!” Mia cheered. She slapped him a high five.
    “Where are you going for spring break, Jackie?” Wilson asked.
    “Uh… nowhere. My parents have to work,” I murmured.
    “Hey—bad break,” Wilson said. But I could tell he didn’t mean it. “Of
course, my trip is no big deal,” he went on. “I’ve been to New York before. Four
times.”
    “ Four times!” Mia cried. “Really?”
    “Yeah,” Wilson replied. “Four times. And the last time I was there, I rode
the subway—by myself!”
    You’re right, Wilson, I thought. New York City is no big deal. Because
no one is going to care about your bragging in a few seconds.
    “Hey, Wilson. Want to race?” I asked. “You can practice running for the
subway.”
    “Not funny, Jackie,” Wilson replied. “Anyway, what’s the point of a race? You
know you can’t run as fast as I can.”
    “Come on,” I urged. “Race you to the flagpole and back. I’ll beat you this
time, Wilson. Really.”
    “No way you can win.” He shrugged. “But—okay.”
    This was it.
    My big moment.
    My heart began to pound.
    I was going to win the race. And shock them both—because I was going to
fly!
    Wilson and I stood side by side.
    “On your mark. Get set—” Mia announced.
    I raised my arms high. Pointed them to the sky. Wilson turned to me, staring
at my odd racing position.
    “GO!” Mia cried.
    I took a running leap—and blasted off the ground. I soared up—up over the
grass. Into the air. Up toward the treetops.
    Yes! Yes! I was flying!
    “WHOOOAAA!” Mia shrieked in amazement as I soared with the wind.
    Now for the best part.
    I peered down to the ground to see the sick look on Wilson’s face.
    I peered down—and screamed in surprise.
    Below me, I saw Wilson.
    He was RIGHT below me.
    Inches away from me.
    Wilson was flying, too.

 
 
19
     
     
    “NOOOOO!” I shrieked. “NO WAAAAY!”
    I was so shocked—so totally horrified—I dropped my arms to my sides.
    Oh, no…
    I went into a steep dive.
    I uttered a weak cry as the ground shot up to meet me—fast.
    I kicked my legs. Swung my arms up frantically.
    And flew headfirst into a tree trunk.
    “Ohhh.” Pain shot through my body as I sank to the grass.
    Sprawled on my back, I raised my eyes to Wilson. I clutched my stomach,
sickened at the sight of him.
    Wilson—flying. Wilson—soaring easily to the flagpole and back.
    I watched as he gently swooped down. “I win, Jackie!” he exclaimed, making a
smooth landing beside me.
    “How did you DO THAT?” Mia screamed with excitement.
    Wilson planted his hands on his hips. “Aw. It’s easy,” he bragged. “Nothing
to it.”
    I opened my mouth to speak—but only a tiny squeak came out.
    Wilson laughed. “Jackie, you need some propellers or something. Your jets are
kind of slow!”
    My heart sank.
    “How—how—?” I sputtered.
    “Oh, I’ve always known how to fly,” Wilson said.
    “REALLY?” Mia cried.
    “Not really,” he laughed. “Jackie taught me how.”
    “No. No, I didn’t!” I managed to choke out.
    “Yes, you did, Jack. You just didn’t know it!” Wilson hooted. “I saw you
flying the day I got my new Rollerblades.”
    “How did you see him flying?” Mia demanded. “I was with you. How come I
didn’t see him?”
    “Don’t you remember?” Wilson replied. “I was skating way ahead of you—because you